First hunt for aquarium fish

If you haven’t bought your aquarium fish yet, you’re in for one of the best times in the aquarium hobby. You can finally go and buy the fish you have been dreaming of. However, where to start? What fish should you buy first? All of these questions naturally come up pretty quickly when you sit down to plan your fishing itinerary. I will answer all of these questions to help you get started on your aquarium fish hunting journey.

The first natural question that comes to mind is where do I start? My suggestion to you is to find a reputable resource, as well as do your own independent research. You can find a lot of success in the aquarium hobby by checking with a local fish store owner, searching online reef blogs, etc., but you also want to do your own research to confirm your findings. The decision of which fish to buy should be a long-term one, so make sure you are comfortable with your choices. In your research, you’ll also want to take into account the mature size of each fish compared to the size of your tank to ensure you have enough space.

After collecting some information, you want to create a list of fish that you would like to put in your aquarium. You must identify the order in which you will introduce each fish. My biggest suggestion to you, no matter how difficult, is to not deviate from the list and buy a different fish unless you have done some additional research. You want to make sure that the fish you buy is a good substitute for, and still compatible with, the other livestock you keep in your aquarium.

The next step for you in this process is to complete the list of fish to buy. This list is very much up to the aquarium owner and you should create it yourself to ensure you enjoy what is in your aquarium. The suggestions I would provide when creating this list are to carefully consider the size of the fish, their temperament, reef compatibility (they will eat corals), and the ideal tank size for your species. You want to make sure you buy a fish that will grow to a size that is sustainable for your aquarium tank size. Make sure each fish you buy gets along with the others in your aquarium ecosystem. Some species of fish are not as compatible with others, and you should be sure to identify this in your research. The order in which you introduce the fish can be very helpful if you intend to buy a very territorial fish. Lastly, nothing is worse than buying a fish and realizing that it ate all the new coral overnight. Be sure to buy a fish that is reef friendly, if you are looking for a reef aquarium. I hope these tips help you get off to a great start on your journey!